DO NOT RENT FROM SC REALTY OR FRANCES LAU!!!…read more
I rented a unit at 1519 Thurston Avenue for two years, and my experience was nothing short of a nightmare. From the very first walkthrough, I suspected there was mold in the closets. I immediately brought it to the attention of the agent, Frances Lau, who insisted there was no mold present. Despite my concerns, on the initial inspection sheet, we noted a mold-like substance in both closets.
As time went on, my family and I began experiencing health issues, and we spent thousands of dollars at doctors' offices and even took our dog to the vet, trying to figure out what was going wrong. We then experienced a massive leak in the apartment, which led to the ceiling being cut open and, to our shock, revealed large amounts of mold that had been hidden behind the drywall.
Despite this alarming discovery, Frances Lau and SC Realty refused to take our concerns seriously. We requested that the unit be tested for mold multiple times (five times to be exact), but each time we were ignored. After no response, we paid out of pocket for a full mold inspection, and the results were horrifying--every single room tested positive for high levels of black mold.
At this point, my family was already feeling the health effects of prolonged exposure to toxic mold. To protect our health, we made the decision to move out as soon as possible. However, even after we left, Frances continued to ignore our attempts to reach her. We had to escalate the issue to her boss at SC Realty, but we were still met with indifference.
SC Realty then forced us to sign away any legal claims in exchange for allowing us to break the lease early without them keeping our security deposit, even though they had previously threatened to withhold it. It's clear to me that SC Realty is well aware they are renting out unsafe, uninhabitable units. To make matters worse, they raised the rent by $250 and began showing the unit to new potential tenants less than a month after we moved out.
If you value the health and safety of your family, I urge you not to rent from SC Realty. This company knowingly rents out mold-infested units and will do everything in their power to avoid taking responsibility. Frances Lau, in particular, was the worst agent I've ever encountered. After speaking with other agents at SC Realty, I can confidently say I have nothing positive to say about this company. They are dishonest, negligent, and completely unconcerned with tenant safety.
The sad reality is that the State of Hawaii does little to protect renters in situations like this, leaving companies like SC Realty to continue engaging in this behavior unchecked.
I have documentation and test results that prove the apartment was infested with black mold. Please, do your due diligence and avoid this company at all costs.